Bill to Prevent Strikes of Essential Services

Treasurer Yair Lapid said, Monday morning, that he intends to introduce legislation to prohibit strikes at Ben-Gurion International Airport, seaports, the Israel Electric Company and other essential services. Finance Ministry sources say the legislation would take the form of an amendment to current law.

The proposal came against the backdrop of a threat by Chairman Ofir Eini of the Histadrut Labor Federation to declare a general labor dispute, which could lead to a general strike. Under the bill the Histadrut would be limited to striking in case of withheld wages. Strikes would not be allowed due to reforms, restructuring or the establishment of private ports to compete with Haifa and Ashdod. The legislation would require workers to submit to arbitration.